469 Uncle

The sun cast a warm glow over the city as Shinichi and his friends approached the gadget store he had mentioned the day before. His friends, their expressions a mix of excitement and skepticism, followed closely behind.

"Are you sure about this, Shinichi?" Ryo asked, a note of doubt in his voice as they neared the entrance.

Shinichi, maintaining his composure, replied with quiet confidence, "Just trust me, guys. Let's go in and check it out."

As they entered the store, they were greeted by the store owner, a man with an amiable demeanor and knowing eyes. Shinichi gave a subtle nod, a prearranged signal between them.

"Welcome," greeted the owner warmly. "How can I assist you today?"

"We're here for the iPhones," Shinichi replied, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

His friends exchanged surprised glances, still taking in the store's quiet ambiance, so different from the chaotic scenes they had anticipated.

The owner, recognized by Shinichi as Shiruu, his father's elder second brother and Shinichi's uncle, smiled knowingly and gestured towards a display case. "You're in luck. We have a few units left."

The group moved closer, their eyes widening as they saw the neatly arranged iPhone boxes. The disbelief was palpable among them; it was a stark contrast to the sold-out signs and long queues they had expected.

Shiruu noticed their hesitation and opened one of the boxes, revealing the sleek iPhone inside. "Please, feel free to examine them. They're all genuine."

Arnold tentatively reached out, picking up the device and turning it on. The screen lit up, the KiShin familiar logo greeting them. The reality of the situation began to sink in – these were indeed real iPhones, just as Shinichi had promised.

"Wow, I can't believe this," Satoshi exclaimed, his earlier doubts fading away as he inspected another iPhone from the box.

Takeshi, still in a state of mild shock, added, "I thought it was too good to be true... Shinichi, how did you even find this place?"

Shinichi merely smiled, opting not to reveal the full extent of his connection to the store. "Just heard about it from... someone I know," he said vaguely.

His friends, now buzzing with excitement, turned their attention back to the iPhones, their initial skepticism forgotten in the face of the undeniable reality before them. They began discussing which models to buy, their voices filled with enthusiasm and relief.

After securing their coveted iPhones, Shinichi's friends were eager to leave the store, their excitement to explore their new gadgets palpable. They quickly thanked the store owner for his assistance and hurried out, leaving Shinichi behind for a brief moment.

Once his friends had stepped out, Shinichi turned back to Shiruu, his uncle, and offered a deep, respectful bow. "Thank you, Uncle Shiruu, for your help today," he said, his gratitude genuine.

Shiruu, before assuming his role at KiShin, was renowned as a famous singer, captivating audiences with his performances in previous years. Transitioning from his musical career, he became the CEO of KiShin Entertainment in 1999, leveraging his industry knowledge and charisma to manage and nurture the company's burgeoning talents.

Shiruu chuckled, a warm, affectionate sound that filled the small store. "Shinichi, you're quite something, you know that? Going through all this trouble just to help your friends," he teased, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

Shinichi merely offered a modest smile in response, his demeanor calm. "It's the least I could do for them," he replied, the simplicity of his statement underscoring the depth of his loyalty to his friends.

The two shared a few more words, a comfortable exchange that reflected their familial bond.

After a short while, sensing that his friends would be waiting, Shinichi bowed once more to his uncle. "I should catch up with them. Thank you again, Uncle. I'll visit soon," he promised, his voice carrying a mix of respect and affection.

With a final nod from Shiruu, Shinichi turned and left the store, the bell above the door chiming softly behind him. As he stepped into the sunlight, catching sight of his friends who were already immersed in their new iPhones, a sense of contentment settled over him.

Upon reconnecting with his friends, Shinichi discovered that each of them had already acquired their own iPhones, courtesy of their parents who had provided them with the funds before their venture to the store. Together, they decided to explore the capabilities of their new devices at Arnold's house, where they could connect to the WorldCOM KiShin WiFi for a more immersive experience.

As they delved into the KiShin Store, loaded with anticipation, they were greeted by an array of video games. Familiar titles like "Flappy Bird" and "Angry Birds" reminded them of fun times spent on the KSP, but now these games promised a new touch-screen experience. Their curiosity peaked when they stumbled across "Temple Run," a game none of them had played before. Without hesitation, they each downloaded it, their excitement palpable during the wait.

Once downloaded, the group dived into the game simultaneously, each person engrossed in their own screen. The vibrant graphics and fluid motion captivated them as they navigated their characters through the perilous temple environment.

"Wow, look at how smooth it is to slide and jump!" Arnold marveled, his character deftly avoiding obstacles.

"It's like you're really there, running for your life!" Ryo commented, barely looking up from his screen.

Satoshi and Takeshi were equally engrossed, their fingers swiping with precision as they collected coins and power-ups. "This is amazing," Satoshi breathed, completely absorbed.

Takeshi laughed, thrilled by the chase, "I can't believe how addictive this is!"

While engrossed in their games, the serene atmosphere of Arnold's room was suddenly interrupted as Julia, Arnold's mom, stepped in. Her eyes widened in surprise upon seeing each of the boys with their own iPhones, devices she knew were in high demand and hard to secure so quickly after release.